Visiting Kusama: At The End Of The Universe Infinity Rooms

Yesterday I walked over to the Museum of Fine Arts to see the Kusama: At the End of the Universe exhibit. Unfortunately, the popularity and space constraints within the infinity rooms severely limited the viewing experience. In fact, for many museum-goers, it became less of soaking in the ambience and more about “okay, let’s take as many pictures as possible within 45 seconds.” We spent roughly 45 seconds in one room and twice that in the second room. $18 for < 3 minutes of a visual spectacle? Kind of crazy, but I think it was worth it just to see such a unique concept of art and interpretation. It also made me contemplate the cost of building my own infinity room once I’m done with my medical training. 😀

The exhibit had the following information about Yayoi Kusama and her infinity rooms:

Kusama: At the End of the Universe presents two of Kusama’s Infinity Rooms: Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, 2009, newly acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Love is Calling, 2013. While both rooms are lined with mirrors, the earlier and smaller room reflects Kusama’s lifelong fascination with the obliteration of the self as an array of lights creates the illusion of an infinite cosmos. The later work, filled with glowing sculptures, represents her engagement with our physical environment. The inclusion of four of Kusama’s most recent paintings, as well as one of her freestanding sculptures, further expands on this essential duality in the artist’s work.